Propaganda, Cult of Personality and the Revision of History

Propaganda, Cult of Personality and the Revision of History

1. Reasons for Cult of Personality: Desire to promote Stalin as great leader, vigorous effort by Communist Party to spread propaganda related to Stalinist cult (some even praised him to get ahead in their careers), Stalin didn't oppose this but didn't really push it either

2. Features: Extreme and excessive praise of Stalin (images, poetry, statues, songs). He was shown as the 'Great Leader' who was caring and the master if all (this reached its pinnacle during WW2)

3. Censorship: 'Pravda' was the official Communist newspaper. Control was asserted by the Communist Party Central Committee and any artist could be arrested for criticism of Stalin

   • 'Socialist realism in the arts': Only approved Socialist concepts could be produced, arrests etc

4. Propaganda: Benefits and successes portrayed through all forms of media and education. Large displays of Communist celebration (e.g. Stalin's birthday, May Day, anniversary of Communist revolution)

5. Revision of History: Attempts made to falsify part played by Stalin in the revolution and make him seem closer to Lenin. Stalin's rivals were eliminated from history or rewritten as traitors (during 1930s it was normal for pages of textbooks containing them to be physically removed)

6. Banning of religious worship: Communists argued that religion was a deception of the masses to keep them ignorant of Socialist ideas. From 1929 a systematic suppression of religion was undertaken (Orthodox church, Mosques, Synagogues), many religious leaders were arrested (although Orthodox Churches were reopened during the war to pray for victory

7. Control over education: Formalised programme of Communist teaching was undertaken in the 1930s with Communist controlled curriculum, textbooks had to be approved, teachers arrested, Stalin's idea of Russian history (greatness)

   • Communist youth groups: 'Komosol' (Young Pioneers). Not compulsory but helped get ahead in Communist Russia. Their activities promoted Socialist values